Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, primarily because it is usually detected only after it has spread to other organs, reducing treatment effectiveness. Currently, there are no screening tests for early-stage pancreatic cancer.
Researchers analyzed blood samples from 672 individuals, including those with pancreatic cancer, healthy volunteers, and people with other pancreatic conditions such as pancreatitis. They found higher levels of two proteins in individuals with early-stage pancreatic cancer and included two additional proteins associated with the disease to create a combined test.
The test differentiated between cancer and noncancer patients, correctly identifying those with pancreatic cancer about 92% of the time. Early-stage cancers were detected in approximately 87% of cases. Dr. Kenneth Zaret from the University of Pennsylvania noted that early detection through such a test could improve treatment options and survival chances, as pancreatic cancer often shows no symptoms until it is too late for surgery. However, the study emphasizes that more research is needed to confirm these findings in larger groups.